Augusta native and former professional baseball player Josh Whitaker joined the athletics staff in September 2016 as the assistant baseball coach for the Jaguars. Whitaker enters his second year as the top assistant for Augusta in 2018.

"We are excited to bring Josh into the Jaguar program,” Howell said. “He brings years of professional playing experience and an infectious energy back to his hometown of Augusta. We are lucky to have him on the staff and can’t wait for the 2017 season.”

Whitaker was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 25th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft from Kennesaw State University. He spent seven seasons in the minor leagues as a primary outfielder and first baseman. Whitaker spent his first six seasons in the Oakland system before heading to Pennsylvania to compete with the Lancaster Barnstormers.

In 2016 as a starting outfielder for the Lancaster Barnstormers (Lancaster, Pa.) in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, Whitaker hit .285 with 65 hits, 30 RBI, and 33 runs scored. His 20 doubles were the fourth most for the team and his six long balls were the eighth most.

Over his seven seasons of professional baseball, Whitaker posted a .277 career batting average with 83 home runs, 599 hits, and 354 RBI. He totaled 148 doubles and nine triples in his 573 games played.

Born Josh Wesley Whitaker in Grovetown, Ga., on Feb. 8 1989, the new assistant returns home to the CSRA to assist Howell and the program. Whitaker attended Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Ga., after spending high school at Augusta Christian in Martinez, Ga.

He played four successful years of varsity baseball at Augusta Christian School where he was named the SCISA AAA Statewide Player of the Year after his senior season. An All-State, All-Region and first team All-County selection his senior year, Whitaker helped lead his team to three-straight AAA high school state championships.

On Feb. 7, 2014 he married Katelyn Whitaker. They have two children, John-Wesley and Whitley.